Some people feel embarrassed about discussing bowel problems with their doctor. By the time the patient seeks medical advice because he or she cannot cope any longer with his or her symptoms,it can sometimes be too late. Be sensible.

The health minister, Brian Gibbon, in 2008 promised that all the people of Wales between the ages of 50 and 74 years would be offered bowel cancer screening by 2015.

Unfortunately, to date this promise has not been met and we are still waiting. The current FOBT (Faecal Occult Blood Test) is being replaced by the new improved FIT (Faecal Immunochemical Test) in 2019 in Wales.

The new FIT test requires just one sample, is more accurate and will hopefully increase the uptake of screening and ultimately same lives.

You may also want to visit our sister website - Cancer Research and Genetics UK. The site has been created to provide a one stop reference guide on Cancer, Research and its Genetic links.

This website and the associated Bowel Cancer Wales organisation has been created to raise awareness of and also the symptoms of the disease and to campaign for earlier Bowel Cancer Screening.